Finger splint



United States Patent [72] Inventor Dennis William Collins Cambridge, England [21] Appl. No. 644,946 [22] Filed June 9,1967 [45] Patented Oct. 13, 1970 [32] Priority June 10, 1967 [33] Great Britain, [31 25,953/66 [54] FINGER SPLINT 1 Claim, 1 Drawing Fig.

[52] US. Cl 128/77, 128/87. 272/67 [51] lnt.Cl A6lf5/l0 [50] Field ofSearch 128/77.87, 87.1. 89, 26; 272/67, 82. 80, 79

1 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,305,749 6/1919 Shirley 128/345 Orthopaedic Appliances, Atlas vol. 1, 1952, pp. 323. 324, figs. 469 and 471.

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J Yasko A!!orney-Cushman, Darby and Cushman ABSTRACT: This disclosure relates to, a finger splint of the kind known as a "lively" splint for assisting digital action of a person suffering from partial paralysis, muscle spasm, dystrophy or other conditions affecting normal movements of the digits of the hand. The splint comprises at least two digit-engaging members spaced apart and connected by spring means so that when one member is engaged with the thumb and the other with a finger, the spring means tends to move the members apart in such a manner as to move the fingers in a handopening direction.

FINGER SPLINT This invention relates to a finger splint of the kind known in the art as a lively"splint, that is, a device for assisting digital action of a person suffering from partial paralysis, muscle spasm, dystrophy or other conditions affecting normal movement of the digits of the hand.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple yet effective lively splint for supplementing the extensor, muscles of the phelangeal joints, that is for assisting opening movements of one or more fingers and/or the thumb.

According to this invention a finger splint of the kind known as a lively'splint comprises at least two digit-engaging members spaced apart and connected by spring means in such a manner that when one of said members is engaged with the thumb and the other of said members is engaged with a finger, the spring means tends to move the members apart in such a manner as to move the finger in a hand-opening direction. Preferably the spring means is a curved length of spring steel wire, to each end of which is attached one of the digit-engaging members. A thumb-engaging member is preferably of U- shape and a finger-engaging member is either a ring or U- shape trough which is fitted over the relevant finger. If desired the splint could include more than one member for engaging each digit, or it could include more than one member for engaging several digits; for example; a splint in accordance with the invention could have two aligned U-shaped thumb-engaging trough-like members and two spaced rings or troughs for engaging two fingers, The spring steel wire is preferably sleeved, for example with rubber or a plastics material.

The length and gauge of wire will be chosen to suit the patient, so as to give sufficient power to open the digits after flexing. The wire may be preformed to a shape suitable for the pa tients hand, for instance so that it may be disposed at the palm side, or around the back of the hand.

If desired, a retaining strap may be fitted for encircling the wrist to ensure that the wire is kept close to the hand.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference'to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a perspective view of a splint in accordance with the invention, with a hand shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawing, the back of a hand 6 is shown, with thumb 7 and index finger 8. The finger splint has a U- shaped thumb-engaging trough-like member 4 having spaced apart ends 5. This member 4 fits over the lower part of the thumb with the ends 5 directed outwardly. The splint also has a ring (or trough) 3 which fits over the lower part of the index finger 8 although the ring (or trough) could instead fit over the middle part of the finger, as indicated by BA. Welded at 4A and 33 respectively to the member 4 and the ring 3 is a bent length l of spring steel wire with a sleeve 2 of plastics material. This length of wire is so connected to the member 4 and ring 3, and is of such length, that it lies conveniently against the palm side of the hand.

The length of wire tends to move the member 4 and ring 0r trough) 3 apart, thus assisting movement apart of the thumb and index finger.

lclaim:

l. A finger splint comprising a curved length of spring steel wire having a sleeve of pliable material and adapted to lie against the palm of the hand of a patient, a U-shaped thumbengaging trough-like member attached to one end of the said wire, and ring means at the other end of said wire for engaging the index finger of the hand, the said length of wire tending to move the thumb and said finger apart in such a manner as to aid in moving the said thumb and finger in a hand-opening direction, said length of wire being axially joined to said troughlike member at one leg thereof and axially joined to said ring means at one side thereof,

UNITED STA'IES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3 533,405 Dated October 13, 1970 Dennis William Collins Patent No.

Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading "Priority June 10 1967 Great Britain, 25,953/66" should read Priority June 10, 1966, Great after "Inventor Britain, 25 ,953/66 In the heading Dennis William Collins Cambridge England" insert assignor to Hugh Steeper Limited, a British Company.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of August 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-OC BOB'IS-PGQ FORM PO-1D5O (IO-69] a u s, covenant!" nmmuo ornc: I969 oau-:u 

